kingbird

American  

[king-burd] / ˈkɪŋˌbɜrd /

noun

1. any of several American tyrant flycatchers of the genus Tyrannus, especially T. tyrannus eastern kingbird, of North America, known for their pugnacious disposition toward predators.

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kingbird British  

/ ˈkɪŋˌbɜːd /

noun

1. any of several large American flycatchers of the genus Tyrannus, esp T. tyrannus ( eastern kingbird or bee martin )

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Etymology

Origin of kingbird

An Americanism dating back to 1770–80; king + bird

Example Sentences

Some of the costliest and most invasive construction is unfolding this month in Guadalupe Canyon, an oasis-like habitat for rare species of birds like the buff-collared nightjar and tropical kingbird.

From New York Times • Nov. 28, 2020

Cummings used to describe the kingbird, they “leap upon the air.”

From New York Times • Apr. 27, 2015

They quit early at dusk, satisfied at having spotted 129 species, including such rarities as the upland plover and the western kingbird.

From Time Magazine Archive

That near relative of the kingbird, the great crested fly-catcher, has one well-known peculiarity: he appears never to consider his nest finished until it contains a cast-off snake-skin.

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 7 by Warner, Charles Dudley

Of the flycatchers, I have noted the kingbird, the least flycatcher, and the phœbe.

From Birds in the Bush by Torrey, Bradford